DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

No one, not even someone you live with,has the right to beat you or threaten you with violence!

THERE IS A LAW TO PROTECT YOU!

If someone you live with is abusing you or threatening you, YOU CAN TAKE ACTION. Knowing your legal rights and other options is the first step toward ending the abuse.

The Domestic Violence laws protect you if you are being physically or sexually abused or threatened by your spouse, former spouse, or another family or household member who IS or WAS living in the same household as you, or you fear such abuse. The law protects you from abuse by a person with whom you have a child in common. You need not be married to the abuser or related to be protected under the law.

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?

IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

Many laws have been created to protect our citizens from domestic violence. If you are a victim, call 911 or the Crestview Police Department’s Communications Center at (850) 682-2055 to report the abuse.

You also have the right to go to court and file a petition requesting an injunction for protection from domestic violence which may include, but need not be limited to, provisions which restrain the abuser from further acts of abuse; direct the abuser to leave your household; prevent the abuser from entering your residence, school, business, or place of employment; award you custody of minor child or children; and direct the abuser to pay support to you and the minor children if the abuser has a legal obligation to do so.

CAN AN INJUNCTION FOR PROTECTION HELP?

Yes, if this individual has abused you physically or sexually, or if you have reason to fear that this person is about to be violent toward you, this special law in Florida enables you to get a judge to ORDER the abuser to stay away from you.

An injunction for protection explains to the judge from whom you need protection and exactly what protection you need. You can ask for help even if you cannot afford to pay court fees. The clerk of court will supply you with proper forms.

After you file your petition, the Judge can sign a Temporary Injunction which will tell the abuser that he/she may not be violent toward you.

The Temporary Injunction is given to you by the Judge. A court date will be set for an extension hearing within 15 days. You must attend the hearing in order to have the Injunction extended. During the extension hearing, the Judge may extend the Injunction for a period of time up to one year.

WHAT DOES AN INJUNCTION DO?

Some things the Judge MAY order in the injunction are:

That the abuser not contact you.

That the abuser surrender all firearms.

That the abuser not commit any acts of violence against you, your children, or others living with you.

That the abuser immediately leave the home you share.

That the abuser stay away from your home if you are not living together.

That you have temporary custody of any children you and the abuser have together.

That the abuser stay away from your home, job, school, or other places.

That the abuser stay away from your vehicle and not damage your property.

The Judge can order other help, depending upon the circumstances. This is why the contents of the Petition and your attendance at all hearings is so important – so that you can tell the Judge what you need and why you need it.

WHAT IF THE ABUSE OR THREATS HAPPEN AGAIN?

A person who refuses to follow a Judge’s order may be put in jail. If the abuser disobeys the Judge’s order, please contact the Crestview Police Department and show them the copy of the Injunction for Protection. In some cases, the Police Officer will arrest the abuser. If the abuser is not arrested, the victim may go to the Clerk of Court’s Office and file an affidavit reporting the violation.

YOU CAN GET HELP

Getting help is worth the effort and there are many people who will help you. If you are upset and have questions or if you need a safe place to stay, PLEASE contact the following:

You may receive help and services from the following organizations, or contact the Crestview Police Department to speak with a Police Officer who can refer you to services and assistance offered in our community:

RECRUITMENT VIDEO

Check out our action-packed recruitment video. Do you have what it takes to accept the challenge of becoming a Crestview Police officer?
https://youtu.be/th3bqboQlvE

Public Information Office

The goal of the Public Information Officer (PIO) is to ensure our community is kept informed in a timely manner about current events, programs, and news.

The PIO is responsible for preparing official news releases, disseminating timely announcements, information, and advisories to the public, handling media requests, maintaining and improving relationships with media outlets, processing public records requests, and maintaining the official website and social media outlets.

Records requests should be submitted to recordsrequests@crestviewpd.org; taborj@crestviewpd.org